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Michael Legge, Allen Leech, Amy Shiels, Frank Kelly, David Murray

A young man who moves away from his hometown finds a variety of new ideas and dangerous temptations awaiting him in this comedy from first-time director David Gleeson. Shane (Michael Legge) is a man i... read more read more...n his early twenties who leaves the small Irish town of his birth and gets a job in the comparatively big city of Limerick. However, he soon discovers that his new position bores him to distraction. Shane also has to get an apartment, and finds himself looking for flats with Vincent (Allen Leech), a stylishly gay college student studying a course in fashion design. While Shane isn't gay, he ends up sharing an apartment with Vincent, and finds himself admiring his confidence and sense of style, not to mention his close friendship with Gemma (Amy Shiels), a beautiful girl who works at a nearby diner. One day, Shane happens upon a cache of drugs, which belong to Keith (David Murray), a neighbor involved in the local heroin trade. Keith discovers that Shane has his dope and soon bullies him into joining his gang, running money and drugs between Limerick and Dublin. Shane is more than reluctant, but knows that working as Keith's mule will pay better than his old job and allow him to follow in Vincent's footsteps and attend art school. Cowboys & Angels was screened in competition at the 2004 Los Angeles Outfest, a festival of gay- and lesbian-themed films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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66% liked it

2,929 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

21 critics

PG, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: David Gleeson

Release Date: May 14, 2003

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DVD Release Date: February 15, 2005

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Stats: 159 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (159)

  • itsjustme2004
    October 12, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Even though the characters are young and still discovering themselves, this movie is full of promise and a mature reminder that the only way out is through, and the only satisfaction is in being true to yourself. I loved the acting, the sincerity and believabiity of the relations... read morehip between a gay man and his straight roommate.
  • danieljparsons
    June 29, 2007
    danieljparsons
    A pretty standard film with its heart in the right place, Cowboys & Angels tells the story of two Irish flatmates - Shane, a straight 20 year-old who is unhappy with his career and his directionless life, and Vincent, a gay 23 year-old whose life is pretty much solid, purs... read moreuing his career ambitions in the fashion industry and exploring possible romances. The two were former pupils at the same school and end up sharing a flat through coincidence, and become friends. When Shane, trying to overcome his shyness, discovers a stash of drugs in the corridor of the building he shares with other people, it begins in motion an unlikely involvement in drug running; seemingly this is more interesting and certainly more financially rewarding than his dead-end career, but soon his life is spiralling out of control.

    Cowboys & Angels is really rather generic for its first hour, even with the introduction of the drugs storyline and an unrequited infatuation that Shane has for Gemma (who in a contrived coincidence turns out to be Vincent's best friend). The character of Vincent, the flamboyant gay guy with an interest in fashion and a bathroom cabinet crammed with hair-care product, is a walking stereotype, and most of the other characters are steeped in cliché. It doesn't help that Allen Leech, as Vincent, overplays everything whilst Michael Legge, as Shane, mumbles his way through most of his lines. At the one hour mark though, the stereotypes are reversed in a brilliant sequence which starts with a drugged up Shane in a club making a prat of himself and ends with him back in the apartment with the dealer he's doing the running for, whilst in another room Gemma tries to seduce Vincent. It's one of the few truly effective moments that actually make sitting through the film worthwhile, before it finishes predictably in sentimentality.
  • gms1yygy
    March 8, 2009
    gms1yygy
    One of my Flixter "best friends" I Mann said it best: "This is a beautiful movie about the ups and downs of starting to live on your own and of friendship and curiosity. Really lovely movie and I highly recommend it." ... so do I.

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Critic Reviews

Michael O'Sullivan
December 17, 2004
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

It's a sweet but slight film whose undeniable appeal is largely due to the performances of its flat-out adorable leads. Full Review

John Monaghan
December 3, 2004
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

A likable if ordinary Irish indie that barely squeaks by on the charms of its leads. Full Review

Carla Meyer
November 12, 2004
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

Enlivens the classic premise of innocent-in- the-city by moving its archetypal characters in unexpected directions. Full Review

Lou Carlozo
November 11, 2004
Lou Carlozo, Chicago Tribune

Stack Cowboys against most of the fare American studios offer young adults and it's meatier by far. Full Review

Frank Scheck
September 29, 2004
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

Manages to be enjoyable despite its contrivances.

V.A. Musetto
September 20, 2004
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

If this sounds like one big cliche, that's because it is.

Anita Gates
September 20, 2004
Anita Gates, New York Times

The coming-of-age story about the corruptions of the big city has been done a few thousand times, but at least this one offers a fresh mix of open-minded intelligence and a heartfelt point of view.

Kevin Thomas
September 17, 2004
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Modest but fresh and appealing. Full Review

Akiva Gottlieb
September 14, 2004
Akiva Gottlieb, Village Voice

In general, a film in which the protagonist exalts his friend on a city sidewalk, raising his arms to the sky and proclaiming, 'You've worked your magic on me, and I'll never be the same again!' shoul... Full Review

Robert Koehler
September 2, 2004
Robert Koehler, Variety

Combination of warmth, humor, danger and a cosmopolitan take on young, urban Eire sets pic distinctly apart. Full Review

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